WorldStage Newsonline-The leaders of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) on Tuesday called on the military junta in Burkina-Faso to immediately hand over power to the interim administration.
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“This coup d’etat has brought sanctions from the African Union and many of our country’s partners, which are hitting ever harder at our populations, already living precariously”, the statement added. He stepped down after days of mass protests and the military briefly took over before Michel Kafando was appointed as interim President.
Crowds came out on the streets of Ouagadougou early on Tuesday morning chanting their support for the army’s attempt to force Diendere to surrender.
ECOWAS also called for calm and said an inclusive democratic process was important going forward.
Burkina Faso’s coup leader has defied an ultimatum to step down, saying his forces will retaliate if attacked.
General Gilbert Diendere on Tuesday called for troops who entered Ouagadougou overnight seeking a surrender by his elite army unit to leave the city, the AFP news agency reported.
The transitional government was installed after long-term President Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last October.
Earlier in the day, troops loyal to Burkina Faso’s deposed government said they were preparing to attack the Camp Naaba military base near the capital’s presidential palace, which is held by troops who staged a coup last week. “I am still the president of the National Democratic Council (junta)”.
The State Department cited an uncertain security situation, including reports of gunfire throughout the capital, Ouagadougou.
Diendere said there is no use for confrontations at this time, and he is confident in negotiations.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) supporting the transition, as well as the political class affiliated to the former opposition rejected all these proposals on the grounds that they are all too favorable to the putschists.
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As they begin the three-month mourning period for their departed traditional ruler, President Buhari urges members of the late Olu’s family and all Itsekiris to be comforted by the knowledge that Ogiame Atuwatse II will always be remembered as a peace-loving monarch who did his best to foster the harmonious co-existence of his people with other ethnic groups in Delta State and Nigeria. The military has asked the people to retreat back home. “They have also positioned themselves around Burkina Faso’s public television and radio station which is now running [an] animal documentary”.
